Swing District Republicans Weigh Bucking Leadership on Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown
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Some Republican lawmakers from swing districts are open to working with Democrats on a bipartisan spending bill to prevent a government shutdown.
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Democrats and Republicans could use a procedural move called a "discharge petition" to force a floor vote on a clean spending bill, bypassing McCarthy.
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The discharge petition process is complex and would take over a week, so may not avert a shutdown if begun too late.
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Hardliners like Rep. Matt Gaetz warn swing district Republicans would face backlash for bucking leadership to sign a discharge petition.
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Speaker McCarthy dodged on whether he'd blame moderates who sign a discharge petition, saying lawmakers should "work through this conference."